Job Search-New grad

U.S.A. Arizona

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

Ok, new grads...give me the lowdown. :nuke:

I can't believe I will graduate in a few months but I am. Don't know if it is smart for them to let me out, but....

I am confused about the job search. I asked my instructor how you are supposed to find out about an organization before you interview and she said you just apply online and then ask all your questions in the interview. But new grad training is very important to me so it would be optimal if I could find out what that is before going to an interview since if the training is non-existent, I don't even want to appl there.

Other than cruising the websites (limited info there), how do you find out what a hospital has to offer WITHOUT getting dressed up for an interview first. Interviews are stressful and I only want to go to them if it is really worth my time and energy. Do I just start calling around and talking to nurse recruiters? All I know is what I have seen in clinicals. It is especially hard because I am not sure on a specialty so I am pretty much wide open.

What did you all do? if you have any info on hospitals, I would appreciate that too. I think I have a good idea about St. Joes and Banner but what about everywhere else?

Thank you!!!:specs:

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Often hospitals have "new hire" coordinators that can answer all these questions and give you details about their orientations. We have done some clinicals at Del Webb and their new hire coordinator came and spoke with us at one of our post-conferences. Seems like they have a pretty good program over there for new grads.

HTH

Rebecca

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Specializes in Cardiac.
Ok, new grads...give me the lowdown. :nuke:

I can't believe I will graduate in a few months but I am.

I can't believe it either! It seems like you just got accepted the other day.

The websites usually describe what they offer for new grads. Just look under new grad programs.

Otherwise, ask other nurses (like you're doing here!)

Did you extern anywhere? Did you like/dislike clinicals anywhere?

For me, I had 2 very specific targets that had to be met. I wanted a critical care course, and I wanted days. Who ever offered me those things would win.

Then, I would look at pay/bennies, location, and overall feel of the staff. My manager walked me through the unit and introduced me to the staff and doctors during my interview. I could tell that I would fit in after that...

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

go to all the interviews you can, even if you do not really want the job. This allows you to practice for interviews for jobs that you do want!

swtooth

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.
Ok, new grads...give me the lowdown. :nuke:

I can't believe I will graduate in a few months but I am. Don't know if it is smart for them to let me out, but....

I am confused about the job search. I asked my instructor how you are supposed to find out about an organization before you interview and she said you just apply online and then ask all your questions in the interview. But new grad training is very important to me so it would be optimal if I could find out what that is before going to an interview since if the training is non-existent, I don't even want to appl there.

Other than cruising the websites (limited info there), how do you find out what a hospital has to offer WITHOUT getting dressed up for an interview first. Interviews are stressful and I only want to go to them if it is really worth my time and energy. Do I just start calling around and talking to nurse recruiters? All I know is what I have seen in clinicals. It is especially hard because I am not sure on a specialty so I am pretty much wide open.

What did you all do? if you have any info on hospitals, I would appreciate that too. I think I have a good idea about St. Joes and Banner but what about everywhere else?

Thank you!!!:specs:

Well, my 2 cents........

Since you don't know what specialty you are most interested in, go for money. From our informal survey online here, it seems to me, that Banner is paying new grads the best at 24-26 an hour. You know you like Banner Thunderbird and it is close to where you live. See what they have there online.

Location, location, location, is good too. After a 13 or 14 hour shift you don't want to commute home too far. It is sheer torture to work nights and come out into rush hour in the morning with the sun in your eyes and drive home. In a 24 hour day, figure at least 13 for work, 8 for sleep, some time for eating, showering, getting ready......you don't have much time for a long commute.

Don't pay too much attention to what a recruiter tells you - they will tell you anything to get you in there. Even managers lie at interviews....my manager at my first new grad job lied all the time to hire people! He would promise them day shift when people worked there for YEARS waiting to get on day shift! Out and out lies, unbelievable. Get any job offer in writing!

If you are in block 4 now, apply now. It is not too early! Almost everyone in my graduating class had a job before graduation. I did too, but abruptly decided I wanted to work ICU instead. I had no problem finding a new grad position even during the week of Christmas. How exciting for you! You will be out of school SOON!

:mortarboard::smiley_aa

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I'm so overwhelmed with studying and everything I don't even know where to start. The hospital I really wanted to go to may not have any openings for new grads :(. I don't know if I should be waiting until I pass boards or what. Do you just apply for an RN position and tell them you haven't graduated yet or do you apply for the intern positions?

CardiacRN - you're from Tucson, any advice or info you'd like to share? You can pm me if you'd like.

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Specializes in LTC,HOSPITAL,HOME CARE,TRAVELING.

Some places offer shadowing experiences ,where you can shadow a nurse for a day and that would give you an opp to ask some of the other nurses there what kind of orientation they give new grads.

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Specializes in Cardiac.
I'm so overwhelmed with studying and everything I don't even know where to start. The hospital I really wanted to go to may not have any openings for new grads :(. I don't know if I should be waiting until I pass boards or what. Do you just apply for an RN position and tell them you haven't graduated yet or do you apply for the intern positions?

CardiacRN - you're from Tucson, any advice or info you'd like to share? You can pm me if you'd like.

Yes, you start applying now! I had my job lined up by March. Interview and all. Then they give you a conditional job offer, which says that you have to pass boards and become licensed in order to accept the position.

I took the last day position when I applied in March, so I was very lucky.

Where do you want to work (ICU, ER, etc)? This may help determine where the best place for you will be....

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I'm looking for telemetry or med/surg - so I can go just about anywhere. And I really want weekend nights. Money and hours will determine where I go.

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any feedback on arizona heart hospital? :smiletea2:

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Specializes in NICU.

Great advice already here!

I agree to start with location first and then go from there. Since you don't have a certain specialty in mind, then go for money and benefits.

You said you already know about St. Joes, so I don't have to tell you what an awesome orientation program they have.

MMC would be a good one to look at too. I know most people think "UGH .... County?!?!" But they have an AWESOME retirement plan ..... you can't beat it and won't find anything close to it. The people there are great too and they have a pretty good orientation program. The starting pay now is $22.73, so obviously not as much as others around the valley, but with the great retirement plan, it might even out and be worth it.

Good luck!

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

Everybody is saying money but seems like they all pay about the same???? give or take a buck and a half...??

Anyone a Banner New Grad hire? I know starting pay there is 24 but someone on here said they got offered 26 as a brand new grad.????

Oh yeah....awesome on the St. Joes Neuro position! Way to go!:monkeydance:

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